External Affairs :: Policies & Procedures

Licensing Policies and Procedures for Campus Departments and Student Organizations

It is not the intent of the University for the school/college/unit to incur additional costs to be compliant with the new policy.  Current inventory may be used; however when the inventory is depleted, new materials should include a compliant mark.  Please take a moment to review your current mark to determine if it adheres to the new policy.  If not, please forward a copy of your mark to Chip Stewart in the External Affairs Office via email at chips@uga.edu or call him at 706-542-4583 and he can assist with any questions.

With regard to the use of UGA marks by internal, administrative units of the University, flexibility in meeting certain requirements of this policy may be applied.  This flexibility will require the review of the University's Trademark Management Committee. 

Use of a UGA mark with an organization name implies association with the University. Therefore, only official campus departments and those student organizations that are officially recognized by the UGA Division of Student Affairs are allowed to use UGA trademarks in conjunction with their organization's name.

Any product bearing UGA trademarks or a specific departmental logo must be purchased from licensed manufacturers. Using an officially licensed company to manufacture a product ensures that the company has provided the correct product liability insurance and signed UGA's labor code of conduct agreement. UGA has more than 500 licensees nationwide and numerous in-state and locally licensed companies. A list of licensees by product category can be obtained from University of Georgia External Affairs.

Campus departments and recognized student organizations may use the UGA name and trademarks on product designs and may include sponsor names/logos on event promotional items in conjunction with UGA marks under the following conditions:

1. The school/college/unit or campus organization must complete the logo approval form and submit it along with the design for approval to University of Georgia External Affairs, attention Chip Stewart chips@uga.edu .
2. If the design includes an athletic mark, University of Georgia External Affairs will submit the design to the University of Georgia Athletic Association for approval to use the mark. If the design is an original creation of the campus organization, University of Georgia External Affairs will submit the design to University of Georgia Public Affairs for approval (see logo system design guidelines for logo development).
3. UGA only allows the University of Georgia Seal on graduation and commencement type items (i.e. diplomas, announcements, cap and gowns etc.)  No other marks or logos will be considered on these type items.
4. The University of Georgia Athletic Association does not permit the use of the "G" logo on any club sport if the University of Georgia Athletic Association sponsors that sport on the varsity level. Varsity Sports include football, baseball, women's softball, basketball, gymnastics, equestrian, golf, women's soccer, swimming, diving, tennis, track, cross country; as well as, auxiliary units such as cheerleading, dance/pom teams and the Redcoat Marching Band.
5. All other campus organizations interested in using University of Georgia Athletic Association marks, including the super "G" logo, may be permitted upon approval; however, the following guidelines must be followed:
   1. The organization may not use any athletic marks on uniforms or any other merchandise if a sponsor is listed in any way; and
   2. The may not use any athletic marks on merchandise, uniforms or any other products that are to be sold for profit.
6. Once the design has been approved, the school, college or campus organization must use a CLC licensed vendor to produce the merchandise. University of Georgia External Affairs can provide a list of licensed vendors/manufacturers.
7. If it is the intention of the campus department and/or recognized student organization to use the merchandise as promotional materials, give-aways, or for the sole use of people within their unit or organization, University of Georgia External Affairs will provide the group with a letter to the manufacturer allowing the merchandise to be produced "royalty free."
8. If it is the intention of the campus department and/or recognized student organization to sell the merchandise as a money-making project, the merchandise will be subject to royalties and must comply with the policies established regarding the sale of merchandise.
9. The campus department and/or recognized student organization's name must be included to communicate the relationship is a partnership with a particular group and not an endorsement by UGA as a whole.

In determining exemptions from royalty payment, consideration is given to the mission of the licensing program and the many constituents it serves. Given these criteria UGA is not required to pay royalties to itself for purchases of services or products that are a necessity for faculty and staff to perform their job (i.e. equipment, services, uniforms, educational tools). However, UGA attempts to avoid unfair competition with other retailers and service providers and therefore, does not exempt itself from paying royalties to itself on the purchases of goods that are to be resold to members or to the general public, regardless of the purpose of the sale.

Affiliated Organizations

Affiliated Organizations are subject to the same duties and obligations in regard to use of UGA trademarks and logos as noted above in §. II.A. The Affiliated Organizations are currently:

1. The University of Georgia Foundation
2. The Alumni Association
3. The Athletic Association
4. The University of Georgia Research Foundation
5. The University of Georgia Real Estate Foundation